Many small business owners and entrepreneurs mistakenly believe that public relations is only for big businesses with large marketing budgets. The truth is, PR is just as important for small businesses and franchises as it is for large corporations. Here are reasons why PR is important for franchises.
Franchises are local businesses with a national reputation to uphold
When people think of national brands, they don’t often think of franchises. Franchises are local businesses that are part of a larger brand. For example, McDonald’s is a franchise. Each McDonald’s location is independently owned and operated, but they are all held to the same standards by the franchisor.
What makes franchises so unique is that they have a national reputation to uphold, but they are also local businesses. This means that each franchise location has to maintain the high standards of the franchisor while also appealing to their local community. This can be a difficult balance to strike, but it is essential for franchises to succeed.
That’s where public relations comes in. Franchises need to use PR to build and maintain relationships with both their local community and their franchisor. Local PR can help franchisees build name recognition and support locally. This is essential for attracting new customers and maintaining a loyal customer base.
Overall, PR is essential for franchises because it helps them balance the unique demands of being a local business with a national reputation.
Franchises rely on word-of-mouth and positive customer experiences
Franchises rely on word-of-mouth and positive customer experiences to attract new customers and grow their businesses. Public relations can help amplify these efforts by generating positive media coverage, illustrating positive customer experiences and managing negative perceptions.
PR can be a cost-effective way to reach new customers, build brand awareness and grow a franchise. In addition, PR can help businesses manage crises, protect reputations and make the most of opportunities.
Get buy-in from the franchisor
Any franchise public relations strategy must first and foremost get buy-in from the franchisor. One of the first steps a franchisor takes when they bring on a new franchisee is to introduce them to the corporate PR team and explain the importance of PR to the success of their franchise.
The franchisor should provide the franchisee with an overview of the PR strategy and objectives, as well as any tools or resources that are available to help them succeed. It’s important for franchisees to understand that although they are running their own business, they are also part of a larger brand and need to uphold the same standards and values.
In order for a franchise PR strategy to be successful, it’s essential that everyone is on board and working towards the same goal.
In order to maintain a positive reputation, it is important to do PR for your franchise. By doing PR, you can help build and maintain a good reputation for your franchise. This can in turn help you attract more customers and keep existing customers happy. Additionally, doing PR can help you build relationships with other businesses, which can be beneficial for both parties.
